BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand’s cyber crime police warned that fake tax refund emails were flooding inboxes nationwide, aiming to steal sensitive data and money.
Scammers Exploited Tax Filing Deadline
The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau reported that fraudsters had taken advantage of the annual tax filing period, which ended on 31 March, to target residents expecting refunds. The emails were designed to look as if they came from the Revenue Department or the platform eForm Thai.
The messages created a strong sense of urgency with phrases such as promises that a refund was ready or that data had to be confirmed quickly.
Fake Official Emails and Clear Warning Signs
According to cyber police, emails containing links for “verification” or “refund” were almost always fraudulent. Genuine authorities never sent links via email or SMS to request personal information and did not ask for passwords, OTP codes, or bank details in this way.
“The emails look deceptively real, with official logos and wording. But one click can reveal everything.”
said a police officer from the cyber unit.
One Click Leading to Data Theft and Malware
Victims who clicked on the links were redirected to fake websites built to imitate official tax pages, where they were prompted to enter personal and financial information. In severe cases, malware was installed on their devices.
Through this, criminals could obtain passwords, credit card details, and full identity data, which could then be used for direct transfers, identity theft, and further criminal activities.
Police Advise Immediate Deletion of Suspicious Emails
Authorities stressed that suspicious messages should be deleted immediately without reply and without clicking on links or attachments. Users were urged to mark such emails as spam and to warn friends and family about the ongoing wave of fraud.
For reliable tax information, residents were told to visit only the official website of the Revenue Department and to type the address directly into their browser instead of following any link.
Experts Urge Greater Vigilance, Especially Among Foreign Residents
Cybersecurity specialists emphasized that attentiveness remained the strongest defence.
“Fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated. Distrust is healthy.”
said a security analyst.
Experts noted that foreign residents in Thailand were particularly at risk, as they were often unfamiliar with local tax procedures and therefore easier targets. Police said investigations into those behind the scams were ongoing, but stressed that the best protection was to understand the method and never disclose data in response to unsolicited messages.